Washington Square Review, an award-winning journal of new fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, translations, and interviews, is published biannually by the students and faculty of the NYU Graduate Creative Writing Program.

Journals that have published debut stories later selected for this award honoring exceptional first-time published short story writers.

Lit Mags That Have Published PEN/Robert J. Dau Award Winners

No database exists for nonfiction agents' reading habits, so we asked every agent, editor, and writing-adjacent human we could until we got enough answers.

Nonfiction Magazines That Will Make Agents Notice You

The mags in this list are competitive and publish physical print editions, so you get the satisfaction of seeing your work in print: pocket-sized, book-like, tangible. Way cooler than you'd expect.

Reputable Lit Mags with Print Issues

Story-focused publications with works chosen for Pushcart Prize anthologies. Less than 5% of nominated fiction typically makes the anthology.

Fiction Magazines Featured in Pushcart Prize Anthologies

Online publications putting forward exceptional short stories for Best of the Net.

Fiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

A targeted resource for short story placements with potential for Pushcart recognition.

Fiction Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

Specialized publications that recognize exceptional brief fiction through Pushcart nominations.

Digital publications advancing very short fiction for Best of the Net consideration.

Flash Fiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

Publications with verse selected for America's foremost poetry anthology. These journals consistently publish poetry representing the most significant contemporary verse across styles and approaches.

Lit Mags Featured in Best American Poetry Anthologies

Publications with stories in America's most visible short fiction. These journals consistently publish fiction that represents the highest levels of contemporary American short storytelling.

Lit Mags Featured in Best American Short Story Anthologies

Publications with pieces chosen for Pushcart Prize anthologies. Recognition of exceptional quality across poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.

Lit Mags Featured in Pushcart Prize Anthologies

Journals that forward outstanding nonfiction to this respected anthology series founded in 1986. These publications identify exceptional essays that might reach the broader readership BAE provides.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for Best American Essays

A curated selection of publications that regularly submit work to this prestigious annual anthology showcasing 50 poems from emerging writers.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for Best New Poets

Identifies publications that put forward outstanding online work for this respected digital anthology established in 2006.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

A comprehensive guide to journals that regularly nominate work for the Pushcart Prize.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

BASS represents the most mainstream recognition for short fiction in America. These journals serve as the initial screening layer for potential inclusion in this widely-read collection.

Literary Mags That Nominate for Best American Short Stories

All-time most competitive literary magazines. Getting published in these is a significant achievement for any writer.

Most Competitive Literary Magazines of All Time

Explore the most popular literary magazines of all time. These long-established publications are a staple in the literary world for writers of all genres.

Most Popular Literary Magazines of All Time

Essay-focused publications with works selected for Pushcart Prize anthologies. These journals have repeatedly identified nonfiction that resonates with Pushcart editors and readers.

Nonfiction Magazines Featured in Pushcart Prize Anthologies

Digital publications nominating outstanding essays and creative nonfiction for Best of the Net.

Nonfiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

Highlights publications that regularly put forward essays, memoirs, and other creative nonfiction for Pushcart consideration.

Nonfiction Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

Verse-centered publications with poems chosen for Pushcart Prize anthologies. These journals have consistently identified poems that stand out in this intensely competitive field.

Poetry Magazines Featured in Pushcart Prize Anthologies

Online journals that specifically champion poetry for Best of the Net consideration.

Poetry Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

Focuses specifically on poetry journals with established histories of Pushcart nominations.

Poetry Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

Washington Square Review

Poetry submissions should not exceed five poems.

Poetry

The spring 2024 New Voices Award will be open to poetry submissions. The NYU MFA faculty judge will be Hala Alyan. The winner will receive $1,500 and publication in the journal (in print and online). For eligibility and more information, go to our website here: https://www.washingtonsquarereview.com/newvoicesaward.

We would like to extend fee waivers to writers who are Black, Indigenous, of Palestinian descent, other writers of color, and those for whom the fee presents a financial hardship. Please email us at wsr@nyu.edu for a waiver.



Washington Square Review New Voices Award

Our biannual New Voices Award rotates in genre and hosts judges from the acclaimed faculty of the NYU Graduate Creative Writing Program. The winner will receive $1,500 and publication in the journal (in print and online).


New Voices Award

The Spring 2026 New Voices Award will be open to fiction submissions. The NYU MFA faculty judge will be Katie Kitamura. The winner will receive $1,500 and publication in the journal (in print and online). For more information, go to our website here.

 
No contact or identifying information may appear anywhere on the submission. 
Submissions should not exceed 5,000 words and should be one story only.
 
Eligibility
This contest is for emerging writers. You are NOT eligible if you:

  Have published a book or have a book forthcoming before March 1, 2026. (Not included: chapbooks with a print run of less than 300.)
  Are affiliated with NYU as a student or faculty member or could be affiliated with NYU in the coming year.
  Are a graduate of the NYU MFA program or recent (within the last five years) NYU MFA affiliate.
  Are a previous winner or finalist


 Fees & Fee Waivers
The submission fee includes a three-issue subscription to Washington Square Review. 
We would like to extend fee waivers to writers who are Black, Indigenous, of Palestinian descent, other writers of color, and those for whom the fee presents a financial hardship. Please email us at wsr@nyu.edu for a waiver.

New Voices Award for Fiction

We publish poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction in translation. Please submit both the original and the translation whenever possible. Translators are expected to have identified the original copyright holder and obtained confirmation that the translation rights are available before submitting, and, if accepted, are responsible for securing those rights. 
Poetry submissions should not exceed five poems and prose submissions should not exceed 5,000 words.

Translation - Poetry

Creative nonfiction submissions should not exceed 5,000 words. One piece per submission, and only one submission per author, per submission period.

Nonfiction

Fiction submissions should not exceed 5,000 words. One story per submission, and only one submission per author, per submission period.

Washington Square Review

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